IMPACT OF POLYURETHANE COATED FERTILIZERS ON SOME SOIL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND WHEAT PRODUCTIVITY IN SANDY SOIL

Two field experiments were carried out at Ismailia Agricultural Research Station, Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, during the two winter seasons 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 to estimate the impact of different doses of polyurethane coated fertilizers on some chemical properties of soil and wheat productivity in sandy soil. The experiment units were arranged in a complete randomized block design. Results elucidated that soil chemical properties were improved as a result of the studied treatments. Soil EC values were significantly decreased in the studied treatments than those of control. The best addition was 75% coated RD. The studied treatments caused significant increases in the values of organic matter content of soil. Values of pH were slightly decreased. There were significant increases in the values of soil available micronutrients (iron, manganese and zinc) and available macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium) after applying the studied treatments. The highest values of soil macro and micronutrients were recorded in 75% RD coated fertilizers, while the lowest values were found in 25% RD coated fertilizers. Concerning wheat yield parameters, there were significant differences in values of grains, straw yields and weight of 1000 seeds between the treatment (25% RD coated) and all of the other treatments. The highest yield values were found in the treatment (75% RD coated), while the lowest values were recorded in (25% RD coated). There was a slight difference between control and each of (50% RD coated) and (75% RD coated). The treatment (50% RD coated) gave yield values near to the control (100% mineral RD). This means that this treatment save about 50% of the used traditional N-P-K fertilizers.